Folding square.



ATTORIQEV T. M. SHEA.

rowms SQUARE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, E9I8.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

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IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII wITNEssEs i TIMOTHY M. SHEA, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

FFTE.

FOLDING SQUARE.

specification of Letters Patent. i

Application filed May 25, 1918. Serial No. 236,570.

To all whom z't may concern Be known that I. TIMOTHY MARTIN SHEA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Knoxville, in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee, haveV invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Squares, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a square for the use of carpenters, masons and other mechanics for measuring and truing their work and has for its particularvobject to provide a square. which is usuallv"made with vblades from one to t-wo feet in lengthand therefore diliicult to pack in a tool chest and inconvenient to carry, with a simple joint for connecting the blades together by means of which they may be foldedparallel with each other for easy transportation and which may be quickly opened into their normal right angular positionand rigidly fastened together and maintained accurately at an angle of ninety degrees to each other. The connection between the blades which permit them -to fold is such that when'in folded lposition or when opened for use, the blades are interlocked in such manner as to prevent movement of the blades. but of such simple construction that the blades mayv be quickly and easily changed from open to closed positonlor vice versa. without trouble and in a relatively short space of time.

WVith these obiects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination and arrangement of parts. all as will be described more fully hereinafter, particularly pointed out in the claims. and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a face view of the improved square in position for use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the folding connection between the blades of the square as seen from the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a face view of the square showing the blades folded.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the joint between the blades of the square, the elements forming the joint being shown sepi arated.

Patented Nev. 26,1918.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the blade joint j showing a modified construction.

In the drawings, l10 indicates thelonger blade or body of the square and 11-the shorter blade or tongue. These `blades are each made of `a strip of steelof the' desired length, width and thickness and provided on opposite sides and both edges with the Y usual scale markings as shown. Through one vend of the body blade 10 is a perforation 12 yforthe passage therethrough vof a pivot bolt or screw 13. The perforation 12 is positioned in the body in the longitudinal centerthereof at a distancefrom-the end ofV studs 14:. spaced equally dista-nt Vfrom the perforation 12 and separated sufficiently to per` mit the tongue 11 to pass between them when the blades .are folded,las clearly shown in n 4 Fig. 3.

The tongue blade a perforation l5 for the pivot bolt 13 near one end in. the longitudinal. center 0f said tongue and spaced from the end a distance equal to half the width of the body 10, whereby its end will lie in the plane of the outer .edge of the body when the blades are in working position. On opposite sides of the perforation 15 in the longitudinal center of the tongue 11 are two perforations 16 into which the studs 14 fit snugly and hold the tongue at a true angle of ninety degrees to the body 10. A nut 17 threaded on the pivot bolt 18 holds the blades securely together in either folded or working position.

To fold the square when the blades are open, the nut 13 is loosened sufficiently to permit withdrawal of the studs 14 from the perforations 16. whereupon the tongue may be swung parallel with the body and above the same and the nut again tightened upon the bolt, thereby securing the tongue atwise against the blade and its edges between the studs 14, which prevent the tongue swing ing beyond the edges of the body should the nut 17 become loosened on the bolt. It is only necessary when the blades are to be opened to loosen the nut, swing the tongue in a position perpendicular to the body until 11 is also provided with Letters Patent is:

the perforations 16 aline with the stud 14 whereupon the studs are inserted in said perforations and the nut tightened.

A square constructed as described is convenient7 useful and easily carried in a tool chest. rEhe foldingblades being connected by a simple joint that holds the blades in true posit-ion, permits quick Change of posi-V tion of the blade and has no disengageable parts which may be lost or misplaced.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may be considered the preferred, or approved form of my invention. It is to be understood that I'niay make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts, mae terials, dimensions, et cetera, `as may prove expedient and fall Within the scope of the appended claims. i

One form of this change of construction is shown in Fig. 7 wherein the connected end of each blade is cut away for one half its thickness to forni a shoulder 18 against which the inner edge of the opposite' blade is firmlyseated, the tvvo blades being lconnected together as in the preferred forni by a bolt 13 and nut 17 passing through perforations 12 and 15 in the respective blades. By ineans of this construction the two blades When connected are in the same plane and may be quickly turned into parallel relation for storage or carriage purposes, by looseningv the bolt and nut Connection andturning thetvvo blades in line.

Having thus fully described my invention, Whatl claim as new andv desire to secure by 1. A mechanics square comprising a pair of blades separably pivoted together, studs projecting from the face of one of said blades andseparated a distance equal to the Width of the other blade to permit said other blade to lie between them when the blades are in parallel relation, said other blade having perforations to engage said studs and hold the blades rigidly and truly in tvorle ing position.

A'mechanics square comprising a pair of separable blades pivotally connectedtofA gether at One end and foldable one upon the andtruly in'pla'ce, and a pivotbolt 'between' the blades' permitting limited separation' thereof.

3. A 'mechanics square comprising` `a pair j of separable blades 'of diderent widths pivotally connected together each at one end, studs projecting from one face 'of the Wider blade and' disposed in a line transversely of said blade and adapted to engage longitu dinally arranged perforations in the narrower blade to hold said blades perpendicular to each other and to lie against oppositie edges of the narrower blade when said blades are arranged parallel, and a tightening screw forming the pivot of said blade. ln testimony whereof I ailiX my signature in'pr'e'sence oftyvo Witnesses. n

I TIMOTHY M. SHEA. Vll7i`tne'ss`es CORA Moons, W. K. MCCL'URE.

Copies of this patent may oe obtained for five cents each. 'by addressing the Commissioner ofvPatents, Washington, D. C. 

